ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresEMERGENCY HELP!!
If you paid the IV Fee to NVC then there is nothing to pay the Embassy except maybe for the Visa delivery.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-10-19 14:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat can be the Bonifide marriage evidence?

Am applying for my future husband :)

So telephone bills, flight visits, pictures, notarized statement from family and friends would be enough?


If he is your FUTURE husband then you can't apply for CR/IR-1 as your profile indicates, you need a K-1...
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-10-21 10:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAm i gonna pay MORE!!!!?
There's always a Visa Application Fee, just with K Visas it's paid in the Foreign country to the US Embassy.

The Affidavit Of Support Fee would eventually be paid at Adjustment of Status anyway.

In the long run, yes CR/IR Visa is cheaper than K Visa as there is no Adjustment of Status.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-10-25 07:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarreid here, but went back to Mexico
1) It is illegal to enter the US on a non-immigrant visa (such as tourist) with the intent to Adjust Status to Immigrant.

2) Where the marriage happened doesn't matter.

3) Since she is married to a US Citizen it will be more difficult for her to get into the US on a non-immigrant visa unless she lies about her marriage to CBP. Once the process has started some have used the NOA1/NOA2 as proof that they are going the legal route and been successful entering the US during the process.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-10-25 22:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHusband came here illegally, got married to me, had a baby, What are the steps to citizenship PLEASE HELP
Since his last entry was EWI (Entered Without Inspection) there is no way he can adjust while in the US.

I would suggest you go to Immigrate 2 US, they specialize in these situations.

At the very least he has a 10 year re-entry bar for his current illegal presence of greater than 360 days.

To get him Legal Permanent Residency you will need to do the following:

* File I-130 petition.
* He returns to Mexico.
* He interviews for Visa at CDJ US Embassy, is denied at interview due to illegal presence/entry & told to submit Waiver(s) (I-601 and/or I-212).
* If hardship is proven for waiver(s) then approval & visa will be issued.

Unless he has cause for requesting asylum (which would be nigh on impossible for a Mexican Citizen) this is your only route to him being legal.

FWIW, don't lie on the forms about any of his illegal presence in the US. Everyone leaves a paper trail and if you're caught in a lie during the process then he can be banned for life without the possibility of a Waiver, USCIS takes "Material Misrepresentation" very serious.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-03 08:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswife's visa/greencard status
Another thing with the health insurance, you need a qualifying event to add someone to your health insurance and then you generally have a 30 day window. The most common ones are:

Marriage, Loss of existing coverage, birth of a child.

Some providers allow for Immigration to the US but it is far less common.

Without a qualifying event you will have to wait until your next open enrollment.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-16 17:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureswife's visa/greencard status
The I-551 stamp in her passport is her temporary green card. You should be able to go to the local SSA office and confirm they already have her in their system and if not that they can find her in the SAVE database so she can apply for a SSN.

Her physical Green card should arrive in a few weeks.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-16 13:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHelp! Thought i was receiving NOA2 but received Preliminary Processing
Here is the OP's other thread: More Info
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-25 02:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHUSBAND ASK FOR DIVORCE/ANNULMENT
Well that sucks...

What she needs is for him to file for divorce in the US and then send her a copy of the Decree. She will then have to file for Recognition of Foreign Divorce in the Philippines which will have the same effect as an annulment. This is only valid if the PH citizen isn't the one who files for divorce. It will still cost her but it is less expensive and doesn't take as long.

For her to come to the US would require his cooperation so I doubt that will happen.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-15 09:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCapture iPhone Texts to Printable Form?
If you're jailbroken then in Cydia find SMS2Mail, it allows you to send some or all texts to your e-mail as either a CSV (Comma Delimited) or plain text file. It does preserve all date/time stamps, phone numbers and if the text was sent or received.

BTW, it's free and easy to use.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-10 21:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCEMAR (Certificate of Marriage/s) NSO
As long as CEMAR shows your current marriage and that any (if you have them) previous marriages were terminated you should be okay.

Anna got hers about 1 month before her interview but I can't imagine that a 3 month old document would be rejected by the USEM.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-12 21:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan someone sponsor them selves to USA on a CR-1 ?

Thank you.. I will try to do this and i hope it work.. I was told he will not be scheduled his interview until the co-sponsor paperwork is sent in. Is that true?Thanks!

I didn't realize that your were already at the NVC stage.

Yeah, they won't send your package to the Embassy until they feel it's complete and the AOS is a major part of that.

Don't worry, you have 1 year to complete the NVC process so this will delay your case but not kill it.

Since your tax returns won't show enough income be sure to get an Employment Letter with your rate of pay and the fact that you're a full time employee from the place that hires you. It would probably be a good idea to wait until you've been on the job for 2 or 3 months so you have several pay stubs to submit and also can show that you're working out in the new field.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-14 14:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan someone sponsor them selves to USA on a CR-1 ?
You need to meet the income requirement by the time your husband has his interview at the consulate. You might be able to get approved if you can demonstrate that you recently completed training for a new [better] job and have secured employment in the field of your recent training.

It will be many months until his interview so you have time to get the new job and show several months of income in your new line of work.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-02 22:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan someone sponsor them selves to USA on a CR-1 ?
You say that you can't start work until Feb 2011...

Have you worked previously and once you are working will you be above the sponsorship requirement?
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-02 15:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisa delayed because we didn't have Cenomar at interview

How am I incorrect? Please enlighten me more.

Our CEMAR/Marriage Contract which was given to us by the Civil Registrar office is white while our NSO Certified Copy which was issued to us by the NSO office is green - that is what I said before & you said that I am wrong.

I am looking at both the NSO & Civil Registrar marriage certificates right now. The civil one is printed on white paper but the NSO one is printed on green security paper. Maybe I am missing something.


Because the CEMAR is nothing like the Marriage Contract/License. The CEMAR is a listing of all marriages ever registered for the subject.

Example: Jana was married in 2002 and annulled in 2006. Then in 2008 she married again.

Her CEMAR would list both marriages. Her second Marriage Contract/License would only list her current marriage.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-06 07:36:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisa delayed because we didn't have Cenomar at interview

You are correct - there is a difference between the CEMAR & NSO Certified marriage licence.

My wife have both & in our case, the CEMAR is the white paper/marriage certificate given to us by the civil registrar office. Whereas the NSO Certified marriage license is green & issued by the NSO office.



You are also incorrect...

Marriage Contract is the White Copy you get from the Local Civil Registry.

NSO Certified Copy is also just the Marriage Contract or License, just a more official copy.

CEMAR will list all marriages of the subject (if they were previously married).
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-05 20:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVisa delayed because we didn't have Cenomar at interview
This is a good example of why people should spend more time in the regional forums, in the PH forum this has been mentioned many times.

For married couples, the PH national should contact NSO and request a Cenomar. Since you are married what you will actually get is a Cemar listing your marriage (and any previous ones if annulled).

My wife was basically told that there was no problem with anything but they needed to confirm her Cemar and then her visa would be issued. The IO was suprised when she pulled it out of her folder and handed it to him... That changed his response to approved on the spot.

You can go to the NSO's website to request & pay for it, they'll deliver to your home!
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-11-05 08:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLow income qusetion

My biggest concern I have it that I’m very low income and bad credit.

...

Also do they take into consideration other factors such as credit? Or being behind in credit card/vehicle payments?


Your income miscalculations have already been corrected so I won't address them.

What I do want to address is your immediate future expenses to get your new wife here.

I hope you are aware of the cost of this process. Even assuming that you're not going to spend a nickel to remain in contact with her just for the Visa process & her flight to the US you will be spending a few thousand dollars.

Bad Credit, even Bankruptcy will not have an affect on your Petition or her Visa approval.

The Manila Embassy is more skeptical of Sponsors who need a Co-Sponsor though. It does sound like they are easing-up a bit on that but I can't say just how much. As recently as a year ago it seemed only college student or recent grads just starting in their career were the only ones approved with a Co-Sponsor and they were tougher on K-1 cases than CR/IR-1 cases.

I hope you've explained your financial situation to your wife already as there are some cultural things in the Philippines specifically regarding financial expectations of Filipinos living/working abroad. Not all Pinays follow then but this also needs to be discussed.

Also, you need to be ready for your cost of living to increase without counting on her being instantly employed once here.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-12-29 16:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresURGENT HELP! leaving in few hours

#5- I receive disability checks from the govt- how will this affect my disability payments? Will I go to jail???ugh...so much anxiety... I'm gonna start a friggin clinic for survivors of the immigtation process LOL
No, why would you go to jail? As your husband's principal sponsor, YOU will also fill out a I-864 form. If you haven't done your taxes in the past, you will want to catch up on the last 3 years of it. If insufficient level of income reported and no need to file taxes, you need to provide a statement from you with supporting evidence why you didn't have to file taxes.


Because she's been living outside of the US and receiving Disability payments from the US Government. There are restrictions such as living in the US (and it's territories) to receive some of these benefits.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-03 11:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiled the I130 what do I do next
Find the NVC Guide, call them in about a week they should have your Manila Case number.

Next your wife will need to submit her Choice of Agent (naming you as her agent).

Then you'll pay the AOS invoice and send the AOS Packet once its marked as paid and you have the coversheet.

Then you pay the Immigrant Visa Application Fee. Once its marked as paid and you can get the coversheet then your wife will send her DS-230 (the actual Visa Application).

Once NVC has all of the required documents & fees her info will be forwarded to the Manila Embassy.

Then she'll need to complete the medical exam at St Lukes Medical Extension Clinic and finally attend the interview at the US Embassy.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-05 21:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshu? DNA Paternity Testing??

We are not worried about the test coming out negative for so many reasons it is not a worry. My daughter already has her citizenship for them to revoke it would be a legal nightmare for them. We are working on the finical side of pay for the test now, might be a month or three but we will get it done. What else could we do?

Just to be clear, I wasn't meaning to imply any such thing. I was just a question that came to mind out of curiosity.

FWIW, in a situation where the US Government did decide that Citizenship was given when it shouldn't have been I think the legal nightmare would be for the person who's citizenship was in jeopardy as they would need lawyers to file injunctions to prevent the government action whereas the government has lawyers on staff 100s deep.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-06 22:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedureshu? DNA Paternity Testing??

They are ruling out fraud on the part of the foreign spouse.

So if the DNA returns negative can they revoke the child's Citizenship?
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-06 16:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAffadivit of Marriage
For the I-130 Petition all you need to prove (regarding the marriage) is the existence of a petition-able relationship between the petitioner & beneficiary, nothing more.

To prove this a certified copy of the marriage certificate will suffice.

Bona fides may come into question at interview time or Removal of Conditions.

The other things you need to prove are:

Identity of Beneficiary, Identity of Petitioner, USC or LPR Status of Petitioner.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-01-11 12:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHas your relative ever been under immigration proceedings?
What exactly does the document you received at the airport say?

Did they allow you to withdraw your application to enter?
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-02 16:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresso upset and confused.
It varies from Embassy to Embassy and even then sometimes they do things differently.

If they had enough to deny you then they would have. It sounds like they just want to verify the income level for the Affidavit of Support. Did your sponsor not provide Tax Returns to NVC?

Did you also get instructions on how/when to provide the documents they are requesting?

When you present the documents one of two things will happen: They could collect your passport at that time or request it after they've review the Tax Returns.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2011-02-18 14:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStarting the process before 18th birthday?
Another consideration is that in the US a person under 18 years of age can not sign legal documents (contracts).

Play it safe and wait until she's 18.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2009-04-23 21:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCompletely random question
It's called qualifing with assets!

Just like having big $ assets today is no guarantee that you'll still have them in 1 year, having a good job today doesn't guarantee that you'll still have it {or an equally good one) in 1 year.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2009-09-22 16:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresEasiest way to send money
Add your wife/fiancée to the account and have an ATM Card issued for her.

Any bank or credit union will do it for you. When you talk to them just explain that she isn't a Citizen or Resident yet and tell them you will need a W-8BEN form, they'll know what to do.

BTW, many online banks (mine is State Farm Bank) will rebate all ATM fees as they don't have brick-n-mortar locations.

I posted this information earlier this year in it's own thread.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2009-10-03 20:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCan a foreign fiancee go to USA on tourist visa and register a marriage
I think what you are asking is:

Can she enter the US on the Tourist Visa, marry him & apply for CR1 without leaving the US.

There are 2 answers:

Yes, she can do this and in fact some immigration lawyers even recommend it. The problem with this is that it is Fraud if you enter the US on a Tourist Visa with the intention of Immigrating.

And the real answer is...

NO, entering the US on a Non-immigrant Visa with the intention of Immigrating is Visa Fraud and could get you banned from entering the US!
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2009-10-05 09:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat do I do?
QUOTE (NutMagnet @ Nov 3 2009, 11:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
From: http://www.uscis.gov...I-129Finstr.pdf

General Instructions.

1. Type or print legibly in black ink.

Step 1. Fill Out the Form I-129.

Wonder if anyone ever got an RFE for not following directions?


Fill Out Form & Sign are two different things, for instance many signatures are barely legible hence most signatures are accompanied by "Printed Name".

In fact signing documents in blue ink is common practice as to easily distinguish original from copies. The Fill out in black ink requirement is helpful for organizations that use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) which usually scans the document in black & white so the black ink gives crisper edges than blue.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2009-11-04 11:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to obtain police record from the Philippines?
Look here for instructions:

http://www.nbi.gov.ph/faq.htm
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-01-10 14:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAnnulment and Letter of Finality
Mail in the Philippines is notorious... Read the instructions for the petition, does it require originals or will they accept copies? He can get the documents scanned at most "Internet Shops" and then e-mail the image to you. He will need originals at the Interview stage for sure.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-01-18 07:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIs Quit Claim Needed
The short answer is NO... See the link in my signature...

The better answer is if you search the Philippine sub-forum (solo parent, single mother etc) you'll find several threads going into great detail on this subject.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-01-18 06:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAdvice needed for possible 2nd attempt?

Well, it turns out that the advice you all gave (and with two lawyers concurring) APPARENTLY isn't completely true. Let me post two emails between myself and the Brazilian Consulate in Rio de Janeiro.


Actually, the replies you received from the USEM don't contradict what you were told here, they simply clarify the process for that Embassy.

You were told that the extension/re-issue is not automatic (as VJer's told you) and that the USEM you will deal with doesn't decide until the Visa has actually expired.

You were also told that the USEM needs to know exactly why the Visa wasn't used during it's validity (as you were advides here) so they can determine if the reason meets with their criteria from re-issued (as you were told here).
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-01-25 17:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion of the context of hardship in K1

If you come asking for advice on a public forum then be open to the advice you are going to get. Oh, and 30 days to live will not be good for your petition (not enough time) also I need to question what is your GF getting out of this relationship with you? definately not a life time of love and commitment, maybe a GC. :whistle:

It's none of your business, and that is really uncalled for.


Shane, I agree that question was uncalled for.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-02-16 17:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion of the context of hardship in K1

does this thread need to be closed down?


I don't see why it would need to be.

No recommendations to evade US Immigration (or any other) Laws.

No personal attacks.

Not straying too far from the original question.

Sure it was a little rough for a while but I think it's cooled off and the Op got a lot of great info to boot!
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-02-16 14:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion of the context of hardship in K1

What?

Huh!?!?
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-02-16 12:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion of the context of hardship in K1

Bob 4 Anna I seriously don't know where the hell you are getting off, so why don't you just back off as well.


Please be a little more coherent in your replies and I'll try to address them completely (as I have previously).

What have I said that is confusing or offensive to you?

Is it that hard to believe that everyone here is reading the same thing from your posts?

Do you really think that USCIS employees who are practically mandated to assume there are issues with your petition will overlook what is so obvious to everyone here?

I took the time to type out a well meaning PM to you, said nothing disparaging to you and even offered what I honestly believe to be your best chance of getting your girlfriend to the US within the laws that govern Immigration to the US. How to you reply, "Go SPAM someone else"? Classy, intelligent and well constructed response...
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-02-16 12:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion of the context of hardship in K1

Calypso why don't YOU just back off, O.K.


Because he has given you good sound advice, as have many others here.

Based on your replies in this thread and via PM it has become very clear what you are looking for.

Honestly you will not find it here. VJ Members are fully in support of Spousal/Family Based Immigration but you'll be hard-pressed to find members here that support importing someone to act as your personal caregiver and wage earner.

Your lack of concern to understand your girlfriend's culture is alarming. This puts you at risk of being used as a means to an end by her and honestly makes you look like you don't care about her only what you perceive she can do to improve your quality of life.

How can you honestly say that you don't need to understand her culture in order to have a good loving relationship with her? Even with that understanding the initial adjustment will be difficult for both of you (I'm speaking from experience).

Your statements throw up so many red flags here I can't imagine how difficult USCIS would make the whole process for the both of you.

Edited by Bob 4 Anna, 16 February 2010 - 12:35 PM.

Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-02-16 12:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion of the context of hardship in K1

No, I just wanted to know the context of hardship. Whether I tried it or not.


As mentioned several times, you would be asking to waive something that has an extremely small chance of being waived even if you meet the very limited requirements of the waiver as the level of hardship and required proof of said hardship is extremely high.
Bob 4 AnnaMalePhilippines2010-02-16 12:12:00